Diarrhea is the medical term for when an individual passes watery or loose stool. It typically lasts two to three days. Many individuals experience diarrhea more than once a year. When someone has diarrhea, they might need to use the toilet urgently more often than usual. They might also feel bloated, experience lower abdominal cramps, and occasionally feel sick.

The most common symptoms may include the following

• Loose or watery stools.
• Urgent need to rush to the toilet.
• Loss of control over bowel movement.
• Lower abdominal cramps.
• Bloated belly.
• Nausea.

Diarrhea may result from the following factors

• Viral infections – Rotavirus and Norovirus have the potential to induce diarrhea. The most prevalent cause of diarrhea is viral gastroenteritis, also known as intestinal flu.
• Bacterial infections – Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Clostridium, and Yersinia spp.
• Parasitic infections – caused by Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium enteritis.
• Food-borne illnesses – infections that spread by ingesting contaminated foods or beverages.
• Food allergies and intolerances – may include sensitivity to certain foods, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance etc.
• Traveler’s diarrhea – Most likely to occur in people traveling to developing nations.

The actions listed below may prevent diarrhea by infections:

• After going to the toilet, wash your hands with water and soap.
• Before handling or preparing food or eating, wash your hands with water and soap.
• Get vaccinations – Rotavirus vaccines can help prevent diarrhea due to one of the causes. Usually given to infants in their first year.
• When traveling, being cautious about what a person consumes may help.
• Avoid drinking public water, unpasteurized milk, dairy products, or juice.

Even though most instances of diarrhea resolve automatically, life-threatening complications can rarely result from it.

• Dehydration – If untreated, it causes severe health problems.
• Electrolyte imbalance – due to a loss of minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Metabolic acidosis – results from bicarbonate depletion.
• Hypovolemic shock – requires IV fluids.
• Kidney failure.
• Convulsions.
• In babies and children, nappy rash close to the anus.